Jewelry clasp



July 22, 1958 c. s. KOELLING 2,843,908

' JEWELRY CLASP Filed Oct. 26. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 4

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JEWELRY CLASP Filed Oct. 26. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 10.13 FIGl- FIG? i8 28 26 Zia,

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INVENTOR. Candy/ .5 Zoelliny M,DW L2? United States Patent JEWELRY CLASP Carolyn S. Koelling, Crete, Ill. Application October 26, 1954, Serial No. 464,765

Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates in general to jewelry clasps, and more particularly to novel means for securing together the end portions of separable bracelets, watch bands, belts, necklaces, and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a decorative and artistic jewelry clasp of strong and durable construction which, nevertheless, is easy and cheap to manufacture.

Another important object of the invention is the provision in such a clasp of novel locking means manually operable against spring action to a release position to permit separation of those parts of the clasp comprising the end portions of the bracelet, or the like, of which the clasp forms a part.

A further important object is the provision of a clasp which inherently lends itself to surface decoration of any desired type and in which that decoration may be given such form as will effectively conceal the lines of separation between its separable parts and the manually operable locking means.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a jewelry clasp embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clasp of Fig. l, as seen from the right side thereof;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view, as seen from the right side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan viewof the clasp of Figs. 1 through 3, without the surface decoration shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing the two main parts of the clasp separated from each other, with the upper portion of the second or leftmost part removed;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 1, without the surface decoration illustrated in the latter, and showing the upper movable portion of the latch or locking mechanism on the second part in raised position as the first step in separating the two main component parts of the clasp;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view showing the two main parts of the clasp separated from each other;

Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view showing the finger piece of the releasable latch or locking mechanism in raised position as in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view, with parts shown in section to better illustrate the interior construction;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 10 showing the main parts of the clasp substantially removed from each other;

P Ice 2,843,908

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of a modified form of clasp;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view, as seen from the right side of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the clasp of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 13 showing the movable latch in raised position;

Fig. 17 is a front elevational view of the clasp of Fig. 13 with the main parts thereof separated from each other;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 18-18 of Fig. 13

Fig. 19 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the line 19-19 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 20 is a transverse vertical section of the same scale as Fig. 19, as seen from the line 20-20 of Fig. 14.

Each of the two modifications herein illustrated comprises'a jewelry clasp made up of separable parts forming the end portions of a bracelet, or the like, together with novel lockingrneans manually operable against spring action to a release position to permit separation of those parts, and which is so designed as to lend itself to surface decoration of any desired type that will effectively conceal the lines of separation between the separable parts I and the manually operable locking means. In the modification of Figs. 1 through 12, these two main separable parts are designated, respectively, by reference numerals 21 and 22. The first of these main separable parts 21, as seen at the right side in Figs. 1 and 4 through 7, preferably is formed as two interengaging links 23 and 24. The link 23 comprises an outer end portion of the clasp having a vertically disposed aperture 25 extending therethrough (Fig. 9) anddefining an inner leg portion 26 which is reduced in thickness from front to rear, as best seen in Fig. 12. The other link 24 preferably comprises an inner or central member having its right-hand portion extending through the aperture 25 and tightly embracing. the leg. portion. 26 and folded back upon itself at its lefthand side in spaced relationship to theleg portion 26 to define, with the latter, a vertical aperture 27. If desired, the abutting ends of the central link 24 may be brazed, soldered, or otherwise secured together along their vertical line of joinder, as indicated at 28 in Fig. 12.. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the rear surfaces are flush with. each other or form a substantially continuous surface, While the forward surface of the central link 24 may be curved forwardly from the plane of the forward surface of the outer end portion of link 23 for .a purpose to be later described. It will also be seen that the inner or central link24 is substantially shorter than the outer link 23 to provide a longitudinally reduced portion with,

opposed recesses in the end thereof, comprising the upper and lower ends of the vertical aperture 27. This first part 21 is constructed as described and illustrated of the.

= two links 23 and 24 in order to facilitate, and reduce the cost of, its manufacture. However, it will be readily understood that the two portions 23 and 24 of this first.

part 21 may be formed as an integral member, if desired.

As best seen in Figs. 7 and 9, the second of the two. separable parts 22 is substantially C-shaped in vertical.

section to provide inwardly extending upper and lower leg portions 29 and 31 spaced from each other substantially the height of the central link 24 or longitudinally reduced portion of the first part 21, and having their outer surfaces forming substantial continuations of the contiguous outer surfaces of the end portion 23 of the Patented July 252, 1958 is adapted to engage within and substantially fill the lower end of the aperture 27 when the two separable parts 21 and 22 are in their interengaged or assembled positions of Figs. 9 and 10.. When in such position, the spaced leg portions 29 and 31 close the opposed recesses comprising the ends ofthe vertical'aperture 27, and the fixed stud 32, together with latch means new to be described, engage within the opposed recesses or aperture 27' to provide means for releasably securing the separable parts 21 and 22 together. This latch means comprises a movable stud 33 slidably extending through a vertical aperture 34 provided in the upper leg portion 29 of the second part 22 (Figs. 9-11). The movable stud 33' is secured to or formed integrally with a substantially horizontally disposed finger piece 35 at its upper end, which finger piece is normally housed within a suitably formed recess or cavity 36 in the upper surface of the leg portion 29. The main portion of the second part 22' is provided with a vertical bore 37 (Fig. 9), the upper end. of which slidably receives a shaft 38' secured at its upper end to, or formed integrally with, and depending from, the outer end of the finger piece 35'. The lower end of the bore 37 preferably is counterbored to receive a suitable plug 39 and to limit upward movement of the same therein. Connected at its opposite ends to the plug 39 and the lower end of the shaft 38, as by soldering or any other suitable method, is a coil spring 41 which thus is housed'within the vertical bore 37 and functions normally to maintain the movable stud 33 in its locking position of Fig. 9.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the two separable parts 21 and 22 of this jewelry clasp normally are maintained in rigid engagement with each other by the fixed or lower stud 32' and the upper or movable stud 33 engaging against the walls of the opposed recesses-defined by the vertical aperture 27, the embracing.

29" and 31 with the adjacent vertical surfaces of the first part 21 comprising the left ends of the outer link 23. In order to separate the two main parts 21 and 22 from each other, it is necessary only first to lift the finger piece 35 against the action of the spring 41 to its release or raised position of Figs. 6 and 8, and secondly to pivotall move the upper portion of the movable or second part 22' relative to the stationary or first part 21 rearwardly through its position of Fig. 11 and until the upper leg portion 29 clears the upper surface of the central link 24', which will permit downward movement of the part 22 relative to thepart 21 to completely disengage the fixed stud32 from the lower end of the aperture 27. In order to permit such pivotal movement of the parts relative to each other, while insuring'normal tight intereng'agement thereof, the fixed stud 32 has been tapered in the manner previously referred to, the upper surface of the forward portion of the lower leg 31' has been charnfered or rounded 013?, as indicated at 42 in Figs. and 11, and the upper rear surface of the free end of the central link 24 has similarly been rounded off at 43. Suitable clearance for such pivotal movements of the leg p'o'rtions 29 and 31 of the second part 22 relative to the central link 24 of the first part 21 is thus provided. Assembly or reengagernent of the parts from their fully disengaged position of Figs. 5 and 7 is acomplished by lifting the finger piece 35' of the latch toraise the lower end of the movable stud 33' above the lower surface of the upper leg portion 29, twistingth'e parts 21 and'22 relative to eachother while maintaining their horizontalaxes: parallel, inserting the lower lug 32 into the lower end of the recess 27, and then moving the upper portion 29 of the part 22 forwardly relative to the part 21 through its position of Fig. 11 to that of Fig. 10. Release of the finger piece 35, of course, permits spring 41 to return the latch to its locking position wherein the movable stud '4' 33 is disposed in the upper portion of the recess or aperture 27, as best seen in Fig. 9.

With the two parts 21 and 22 thus assembled, the clasp presents a balanced appearance as seen from all directions, with the exception of the rear view (Fig. 3), but it will be appreciated that the rear surface of the clasp, is normally not in view. To enhance this symmetrical appearance, the upper surface of the outer link 23 of the first part 21 may have a line engraved thereon corresponding in size and shape to the plan outline of the aperture 36 receiving the finger piece 35 in the upper leg portion 29 of the second part 22, as shown in broken lines at 44 in Fig. 4. As previously noted herein, the present clasp inherently lends itself to surface decoration of any desired type. One arrangement of surface decoration may take the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the front, top, and bottom surfaces of the parts 21 and 22, except for the central link 24, are those portions of the clasp receiving the decoration 45', which may take the form of encrusted rhinestones, or other jewels, engraved designs, or any other suitable type of surface adornment. As best seen in Fig. 1, such arrangement presents a fancy border for the central link 24, and also performs an additional and important function in effectively concealing all lines of separation between the parts 21 and 22 except those appearing on the rear portion of the clasp which normally is not in view. The manually operable or releasable locking means thus cannot be actuated except by the wearer of the clasp or with her or his knowledge.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in Figs. 13 through 20, the clasptherein illustrated is made up of two separable main parts 21a and 22a which are similar in substantially all respects to the parts 21 and 22 heretofore described, except in the arrangement of the rele'asable locking means or latch, which in this modification enables the part 22a to be removed from the part 2112' without requiring any twisting or relative tilting thereof. Asis perhaps best seen from Figs. 18 and 20, the first or stationary part 21a is identical to the previously described firstpart' 21 of Figs. l through 12', except that the central or inner link member 24a is shaped symmetrically on each side of its vertical center line so that both its rear and its front surface bulge out from the plane of the rear and front surfaces of the outer or end link 23. The same longitudinally reduced portion is provided as in the part 21 of the other modification by the inner or free end of the central link 24a with the aperture 27 extending vertically therethrough.

The second or removable part 22a has a lower leg portion 31a substantially identical to the previously described leg portion 31 which is similarly provided with an upstanding fixed stud 32a adapted to slidingly engage within the lower end of the recess 27. The part 22a also is provided with a vertical bore 37a extending upwardly therethrough' and counterbored at its lower end to receive a plug 39a similar to'the plug 39'of the first modification. At'its' upper end, the second part 22a is provided with a movable leg portion 46 shaped similarly to the lower stationary leg portion 31a and having a depending lug 47. As best seen in Figs. 19 and 20, this lug 47 is adapted to slidingly fit into the upper end of the aperture 27, and its inner vertical surface preferably is cut back, as indicated at 48, for a purpose to be-later described. The leg portion 46 which comprises the movable portion of the locking or latching means is slidably and rotatably mounted on the part 22a by means of a shaft 49 secured in any suitable manner at its upper end thereto and extending downwardly i'nto theupper end of the bore 37a.. A coil spring 4141 is secured at its opposite ends to the plug 39a and the lower end of the shaft 49. As best seen in Fig. 20, such attachment of the spring 41a to these partsmay be accomplished by providing transverse apertures in the latter receiving pins 51 and forming a slot 52 in the opposed ends of the plug 39d and the shaft 49 through which the ends of the spring 41a may pass for engagement over the pins 51.

With the parts 21a and 22a in their normal assembled or interengaging positions, separation thereof may be accomplished merely by first lifting the movable upper leg portion 46 against the action of the spring 41a to its position of Fig. 16. Rotation of the leg portion 46 through an angle of 90 then will clear it from the center link 24a to permit downward movement of the part 22a relative to the part 21a to remove the lower stud 32a from the aperture 27 to separate the parts. The inner end of the upper stud 47 is cut away at 48, as previously described, to insure clearance between the parts and their relative movement as the upper leg portion 46 is rotated on its :shaft 49 relative to the outer link 23 of the first part 21a. Reassembly of the parts 21a and 22a from their separated position of Fig. 17 may readily be accomplished by first lifting the upper leg portion 46 to its broken line position of that figure, rotating the same through 90 on its shaft 49, moving the part 22a into alignment and engagement with the free end portion of the central link 24a, sliding the part 22a upwardly to engage the lower stud 32a into the lower end of the vertical aperture 27, rotatively returning the upper leg portion 46 to its position of Fig. 16, and releasing the same to permit the spring 41a to return it downwardly into locking position, as best seen in Fig. 20, with the depending upper lug 47 engaged in the upper end of the aperture 27.

It is thought that the invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings being merely a preferred embodiment.

I claim:

1. A jewelry clasp, comprising separable parts forming the end portions of a bracelet, or the like, engageable with each other to form a clasp having a unitary appearance with each side and edge surface of one part forming a continuation of the corresponding surface of the other part, a first said part having a longitudinally reduced portion with recesses in each of the ends thereof, a second said part having spaced leg portions engageable with said first part to close said recesses, and means for securing said separable parts together, comprising a fixed stud on said second part engageable in a said recess, manually operable locking means comprising a movable stud slidably mounted on said second part for movement into and out of the other said recess, means for limiting such movement of said movable stud to translational movement and spring means housed interiorly of said second part and interconnected between the latter and said mov- 6 able stud to retain said movable stud in the other recess to prevent separation of said parts.

2. A jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein said fixed stud is tapered to provide clearance with the walls of its associated said recess to permit relative pivotal movements between said first and second parts against the action of said spring means, after manual withdrawal of said movable stud from its associated said recess, to etfect separation of said parts from each other.

3. A jewelry clasp according to claim 2, wherein said manually operable locking means comprises a finger piece interconnecting said movable stud and said spring means, said second part having a cavity to receive and house said finger piece flush with the adjoining outer surfaces of said separable parts when the same are secured together.

4. In a jewelry clasp according to claim 3, surface decorating means on each of said separable parts interrelated to visually conceal the lines of separation between said parts and said manually operable locking means.

5. A jewelry clasp, comprising separable parts forming the end portions of a bracelet, or the like, engageable with each other to form a clasp having a unitary appearance with each side and edge surface of one part forming a continuation of the corresponding surface of the other part, a first said part having a longitudinally reduced portion with recesses in each of the ends thereof, a second said part having integral spaced leg portions engageable with the ends of said reduced portion to close said recesses when said parts are secured together, means for limiting such movement of said movable stud to translational movement and means for securing said. separable 'parts together, comprising a fixed stud on a first said leg portion engageable in a said recess, manually operable locking means comprising a movable stud slidably mounted in a second said leg portion for movement into and out of the other said recess, and spring means housed interiorly of said second part and interconnected between the latter and said movable stud to retain said movable stud in the other recess to prevent separation of said parts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 154,058 Lochner Aug. 11, 1874 1,467,465 Wiedmann Sept. 11, 1923 1,750,786 Roy Mar. 18, 1930 2,552,728 Liner May 15, 1951 2,639,480 Magid May 26, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 583,065 France Jan. 6, 1925 785,981 France Aug. 23, 1935 943,056 France Feb. 25, 1949 

